Energy Sector Is Isolated from Trade Talk OptimismHighest level in 2019On February 21, US crude oil April futures fell 0.3% and settled at $56.96 per barrel. On the same day, WTI crude oil prices made an intra-day high of $57.61—the highest level

Why Range Resources' Earnings May Have Slowed in Q4Range Resources earningsRange Resources (RRC) is set to announce its fourth-quarter earnings results on February 25. Based on analysts’ consensus estimates, its net income per diluted share could

'Death Cross' Looming for Natural Gas Prices(Continued from Prior Part)Futures spreadOn February 20, the natural gas futures for April 2019 closed at a premium of ~$0.07 to the April 2020 futures. On February 13, the futures spread was at a small

'Death Cross' Looming for Natural Gas Prices(Continued from Prior Part) Natural gas rig countThe natural gas rig count was at 194 last week, which was one less than the previous week. The natural gas rig count has fallen ~87.9% from its record

Oil Market: Analyzing Key TrendsUS crude oilOn February 19, US crude oil prices rose 0.8% and settled at $56.45 per barrel—the highest closing level for active US crude oil futures since November 19. A fall of 0.4% in the US dollar could be a

Along with many other stocks this year, Chesapeake Energy (NYSE:CHK) has posted a nice return. Note that the shares are up about 19%. This is in-line with other operators like Devon Energy (NYSE:DVN), but this masks a roller-coaster ride. First of all, Chesapeake Energy stock is still well off its high.Since July, the shares have plunged from $5.29 to $2.50. Something else: from Jan. 30 to Feb. 8, Chesapeake Energy stock fell every single day! * 7 Financial Stocks With Accelerating Growth What's going on? Well, the overall volatility in the energy markets has certainly been a major factor, as there has been continued weakness in crude oil and natural gas prices.InvestorPlace - Stock Market News, Stock Advice & Trading TipsSome of the reasons include the strength in the dollar (many commodities are purchased with U.S. dollars), rising production (especially in the U.S.) and a global economic slowing, such as in China and Europe.Of course, the energy market can turn quickly. But at least for now, there are few catalysts to get things back on track - and this should weigh on Chesapeake Energy stock. Operations and Chesapeake Energy StockNow I believe that the company is well run. Since coming on board as CEO in 2013 after a successful stint at Anadarko Petroleum (NYSE:APC), Robert Lawler has wasted little time in improving the operations and the balance sheet.The actions have included more than $1 billion in annual cost cuts and reductions of over $12 billion in debt and more than $10 billion in legacy commitments. Lawyer has also been effective in finding ways to improve cash flows and be disciplined with capital investments.Despite all this restructuring, Lawler has still somehow found ways to expand the company's unconventional assets. There are currently about 14,900 oil and natural gas wells in areas like the Eagle Ford Shale in South Texas, the Anadarko Basin in northwestern Oklahoma, Marcellus Shale in the northern Appalachian Basin in Pennsylvania and Powder River Basin in Wyoming.The recent $3.977 billion acquisition of WildHorse, which is an oil and gals company with assets in the Eagle Ford Shale and Austin Chalk formations in southeast Texas, should also be a positive for CHK stock.With the deal, the oil production is estimated to more than double by the end of 2020 and will bring the overall oil mix to about 30%. There should also be a 50% improvement in EBITDA margins. As for the proved-but-undeveloped oil reserves, these have tripled to 320 million barrels.WildHorse's Eagle Ford holding is particularly attractive. It has about 420,000 acres and about 80% to 85% is underdeveloped. So yes, there is quite a bit of potential. Chesapeake's proven track record with cost efficiencies should also be a big help. In fact, there are expected to be $200 million to $280 million in annual savings over the next five years from the acquisition. Bottom Line on CHK StockIt's really tough to find faults with Lawler's actions. But unfortunately, the key driver is the energy market. And for the most part, the fundamentals are looking weak. They include a terrible combination of oversupply and lagging demand.Yet this does not necessarily mean you should avoid CHK stock. As InvestorPlace.com's James Brumley has noted, the company is a "best-of-breed pick within the exploration and production arena."But I think CHK stock is still for those who are willing to take a long-term view on things. Although, with the stock well off its highs, the current price point does look reasonable, with the forward price-to-earnings ratio at a mere 4X.Tom Taulli is the author of High-Profit IPO Strategies, All About Commodities and All About Short Selling. Follow him on Twitter at @ttaulli. As of this writing, he did not hold a position in any of the aforementioned securities. More From InvestorPlace * 2 Toxic Pot Stocks You Should Avoid * 10 Hot Stocks Leading the Market's Blitz Higher * 7 Strong Buy Stocks With Over 20% Upside * 5 Growthy Stocks Trading Below 15X Earnings Compare Brokers The post Chesapeake Energy Stock Looks Great, If Youare Willing to Wait appeared first on InvestorPlace.

Natural Gas Prices: What Are the Key Drivers?(Continued from Prior Part)Natural gas rig count The natural gas rig count was at 195 last week, which was three less than the previous week. The natural gas rig count has fallen ~87.9% from its record

Antero Resources' Earnings Could Jump 79%, but There's a RiskAntero Resources’ earnings could jump 79% Tomorrow, Antero Resources(AR) could report adjusted net income of $0.43 per share in Q4 2018, based on analysts’ consensus estimates. This

Oil Prices: Is the Rebound Sustainable?US crude oilOn February 11, US crude oil prices fell 0.6% and settled at $52.41 per barrel. On the same day, US crude oil active futures made an intraday low of $51.23—the lowest level since January 17. A

Important Trends in the Energy Market Last Week(Continued from Prior Part)Energy stocksIn the week ending February 8, upstream stock Denbury Resources (DNR) fell the most among the energy stocks under review in this series, which include the

ConocoPhillips: Investors' Confidence Is RisingConocoPhillips Since ConocoPhillips (COP) reported its fourth-quarter earnings results on January 31, the stock has fallen 1.7% despite a fall of 2% and 8.2% in US crude oil and natural gas prices,

Shares of Chesapeake Energy Corp. swung to a loss of 0.8% in morning trade Monday, erasing a premarket gain of as much as 3.8%, to put them on track for an 8th-straight loss. Helping weigh on the shares, crude oil futures slumped 2.1%, amid concerns over rising U.S. production and a stronger dollar. An 8th-straight loss for Chesapeake's stock would be the longest losing streak since since the 11-session streak that ended on Oct. 14, 2014. The stock has tumbled 18% during its losing streak, while the SPDR Energy Select Sector ETF has lost 1.3% and the S&P 500 has gained 1.25 over the same time.

Shares of Chesapeake Energy Corp. tumbled 6.1% in afternoon trade Friday, enough to pace the S&P 400 Mid Cap index in losses, and putting them on track for a seventh-straight loss. That would be the longest losing streak for the oil and gas exploration and production company's stock since the 11-session losing stretch that ended on Oct. 14, 2014. Since that losing streak, there had been seven 6-day losing streaks. The stock has lost 20% during its current losing streak, but was still up 34% since it closed at a near 3-year low of $1.73 on Dec. 24. The stock's decline on Friday comes despite a 0.1% gain in crude oil futures . Chesapeake has not issued a press release or filed anything with the Securities and Exchange Commission since Feb. 1. The stock has tumbled 34% over the past three months, while crude futures have shed 14%, the S&P 400 has slipped 2.9% and the S&P 500 has lost 3.9%.

Where Will Natural Gas Close Next Week?Natural gas’s implied volatility On February 7, natural gas’s implied volatility was 26.7%, which was ~41.3% below its 15-day moving average. In the trailing week, natural gas’s implied volatility fell